Merle Ray Foster was born December 23, 1932 to the union of James and Savannah (Whitley) Foster in Pineville, Kentucky. He was the fourth child of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Frances Hegg, Mattie Jones, Carrie Justice, and Doris Owens. The family moved later to Richmond, Indiana when he was young and attended public school. He later joind the United States Army and was stationed in South Korea and received an Honorable Discharge. He later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was employed at Ford Motor Company. He moved to Illinois and worked at a nursing home in Robbins, Illinois. Ray journey of life ended on Saturday, December 30, 2017 and he leaves to cherish the memory of his life on earth his four sisters, Lois Burrell of Chicago, Helen Williams of Blue Island, Illinois, Mary Daniels of Raleigh, North Carolina, Yvonne Dixon of Shelbyville, Kentucky and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. From your family, "Ray, we will always love you, you were our only brother of eight sisters and we will not forget the years that God allowed us to enjoy you. You will be forever missed."